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19 UN staff among Ethiopian Airlines victims - UN

UN Secretary General
UN Secretary General

In a statement, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said the organisation was deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives.

According to the UN Department of Safety and Security in Kenya, 19 UN staff perished in the crash. The World Food Programme (WFP) lost seven staff, the Office of the High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) lost two, as did the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

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The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sudan, World Bank and UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) each lost one staff member. Six staff from the UN Office in Nairobi (UNON) were also tragically killed.

Mr Guterres conveyed his “heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims’ families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia”.

The Boeing 737-800 crashed in Bishoftu, shortly after take off from Bole International Airport.

According to government reports, 149 passengers and eight crew members were believed to be on flight ET302 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi.

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